pokemon pearl
Latest
DS releases for the week of April 23rd
As you may have heard, there's some serious Pokémon action this week, and the sheer magnitude of that spotlight has somewhat dwarfed everything else -- but fear not, there are other games for those who aren't Poké-fans. Note that we're not promising they're good ... we're just saying that they are, in fact, games. We're curious how SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters turns out, definitely, since we've heard mixed reports. Classic Action: Devilish Pokemon Diamond Pokemon Pearl SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters DS Check after the jump to see what's out this week in the rest of the world. Japanese-speaking importers, take note: there is some serious hotness releasing in Japan this week, along with 367 other games.
Joystiq at the Pokemon launch party in NYC
Thousands of Pokemon fans stormed the Nintendo World Store for their incredible Pokemon Diamond & Pearl launch party. Getting into the event was no easy task, as the line stretched across a New York avenue. Once inside, fans were treated to equally long lines to purchase the game, and a myriad of activities to partake in. A scavenger hunt had Pokemaniacs survive the heat and go through all the stations set up for fans.Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori from Game Freak stopped by to answer fan's questions and sign autographs. In spite of the surprising success of the Pokemon franchise, the two were incredibly humble and seemed jovial in the presence of their adoring fans. Children (of all ages) crowded the plaza for a chance to meet some of the people responsible for this global phenomenon.To end the festivities, Nintendo made an incredible donation to Earth Day NY: a giant check (is there any other kind?) for $10,000 was presented to the eco-friendly charity. The event was a blast, and everyone appeared to be in high spirits. Considering the thousands of people in attendance, it's safe to say that the Pokemon phenomenon is still going strong.%Gallery-2731%
GDC 07: Pokemon Pearl impressions
The Pokemon machine just doesn't stop. Pokemon Pearl was available at GDC on a pretty pink DS Lite, and while no one was looking, I got to get my hands on it. While the Pokemon franchise isn't known for its graphics, the first thing I noticed as a long-time Pokemon fan was how improved the graphics have become. The screens may not show it off too well, but the game features much better character sprites in the game world. Looking at the aliasing issues in the game, it appears that the world may even have a psuedo-3D engine behind it as well. Unfortunately, the battles haven't received as nice of a makeover: they still look incredibly primitive, even by GBA standards: the uninspired battle animations certainly don't leave a good impression.Other than the cosmetic changes, it doesn't appear as though the world of Pokemon has changed too much. Like previous iterations of the franchise, this version introduces even more pocket monsters to capture ... but not much else. The game doesn't stray far from the original Pokemon formula: classic elements, such as being forced into a fight when spotted by a rival trainer, are still retained in this latest update.Strangely, use of the touch screen seems conspicuously absent. Of course, with other titles like Pokemon Ranger trying to take the franchise in a different direction, maybe it's best that Pokemon remains unchanged for its next major DS release.
Gotta pre-catch 'em all: Pokemon preorder bonuses
If you've been on the fence about this whole Pokémon thing, just waiting to be convinced about the monster-collecting genre (thus giving away your rock-underside-located residential status) then Nintendo knows just how to tempt you: free junk. Preorder the new DS Poké-games, Diamond and Pearl, from the Gamestop -EB mega-retail conglomerate and you'll be rewarded with a stylus! Also included is a ... stylus ... holder! It's a holder for your stylus! (Back in our day, we had stylus holders too. We called them DSes.)Naturally, both of these items are decorated with Pokemans, so friends who come anywhere near your DS-wielding hand or your designated DS Accessories Storage Area will be tipped off about your pathological need -- your addiction -- to catch 'em. Also, it wouldn't be Pokémon if there were no incentive to buy both games -- in the case of these bonuses, the styli each have a different little Poké-mascot on top: Dialga for the Diamond version and Palkia for the Pearl version. We assure you that those are real Pokémon names and not rare diseases. Or maybe both? We don't have medical degrees.[Via GayGamer]
Pokemon struggles on Wii
If Nintendo execs assumed Pokemon Diamond & Pearl's chart-topping popularity would be an indication of Pokemon Battle Revolution's inevitable success, they were wrong. Despite Japanese shipments of Diamond & Pearl recently hitting the five-million mark, Battle Revolution, Wii's first online title, has struggled to make an impact on the sales chart, with only 67,607 copies sold in its first full week of release; by comparison, 69,923 units of Wii Sports were sold during that same period.
Nintendo oddly silent on Pokemon DS online
With the new era of Pokemon coming out to savage the time of millions of DS owners worldwide, there is one feature we're not hearing much about. That feature? Online play via the DS WiFi feature. With the Wii version of Pokemon getting a serious amount of attention about online play, the lack of DS information is puzzling. Many think that Pearl/Diamond will be completely without online compatibility. However, Nintendo quashed that rumor, saying the online play is there; they prefer the fan base to create their own buzz. Being mum on the next big Pokemon's key feature isn't quite surprising. Nintendo has never had a problem moving handheld Pokemon titles. Nintendo is most likely choosing to focus their efforts on promoting the console version of the franchise, which will have an additional benefit of moving more Wii consoles in the process. Don't worry, Pokemon fans, you'll be throwing down with people around the nation in Pearl/Diamond.
Pokemon Diamond/Pearl Wi-Fi details
Some details about Pokemon Diamond/Pearl's battle and trading systems have been revealed for all of you chomping at the bit needing your daily Pokemon fix. The Global Trading system sounds like it would be a worldwide type of thing but unfortunately its not. It's regional only. But, it is a great way to barter Pokemon. Trainers type in the Pokemon they are looking for and are shown a list of trainers that have that Pokemon in possession. They can approach a chosen trainer and either have their deal accepted or rejected. The Battle Tower is pretty interesting and the best thing about it is that you are friend code free! Using the Battle Tower does not require you to use friend codes. You only have to use them in the basements of Pokemon Centers. You will use voice chat to communicate and talk all the trash your heart desires. In the Battle Tower your team is uploaded and only those trainers around your level will be chosen to battle with you. Pokemon fans get ready! Sounds like Diamon and Pearl are going to be larger than life. [Via QJ Net]
Pokemon Diamond/Pearl sites
Pokemon, Pokemon, Pokemon. Seems like that's all you hear about today besides Final Fantasy. Well, we have some more Pokemon stuff for you, loyal reader. If the thought of more Pokemon makes you want to regurgitate the last thing you ate, don't check this out. If you are a true Pokemon fan and swear to stand by the series until the bitter end when Pikachu has to be admitted to rehab, this is for you... The Pokemon Diamond/Pearl site is up! Yes, we know not many of you speak Japanese (neither do we) but you can check out some screens, character designs and observe a device that looks quite similar to your very own DS.
Pokemon Diamond/Pearl scans leaked
Who doesn't like inside men? They get you all sorts of good stuff including scans of the Pokemon Diamond/Pearl starters. This particular inside man, who none of us know, got these scans out days before the Japanese magazine they are featured in (CoroCoro) goes up on the shelf for sale. That's some skill. Some people have approached this with skepticism since there have been unconfirmed rumors floating around for a bit regarding the actual starters. Here is your evidence folks. The starting Pokemon are: Grass-Type Naetle Fire-type Hikozaru Water-type Pochama Yeah, we thought you'd like that. [Via bulbagarden; Thanks Archaic!]
Intense first Pokemon Diamond/Pearl footage: walking around
No, it's not the most amazing of clips. Still, we get to see the new pseudo-3D art style and hear a bitchin' remix of a traditional Pokemon fanfare. Nintendo has been relatively tight-lipped about its sure-to-sell-a-million-units franchise, but Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are well on their way to becoming yet another triple-A DS title. There are a lot of those, these days.[Thanks, Dwarpdesign!]
Pokemon could inspire new DS Lite colors, in Japan [update 1]
Following last week's revelation that DS Lite will begin shipping in pink later this month (in Japan) comes rumor that the upcoming Pokemon Pearl/Diamond game will usher in two additional colors.According to an ad scanned from a Japanese publication, 'pearl' (even lighter blue) and 'diamond' (gold tinted) colored DS Lite models will be manufactured to celebrate the release of the new Pokemon titles -- no word yet on a game-bundled package. For now, expect availability to be limited to Japan.Update: According to TotalPokemon, via Go Nintendo, the scan is a fake. [Thanks Spuky & vidGuy]
